pusher

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Bancroft_Law "Ruth Bancroft Law (May 21, 1887 - 1970) was a pioneer American aviator during the 1910s." "Law's greatest feat took place on 19 November 1916, when she broke the existing cross-America flight air speed record of 452 miles (728 km) set by Victor Carlstrom by flying non-stop from Chicago to New York State, a distance of 590 miles (950 km). The next day she flew on to New York City. Flying over Manhattan, her fuel cut out, but she glided to a safe landing on Governors Island and was met by United States Army Captain Henry 'Hap' Arnold."

See www.earlyaviators.com/eoliver.htm and www.earlyaviators.com/eoliver1.htm

"Leonard Wood (October 9, 1860 – August 7, 1927) was a physician who served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, Military Governor of Cuba, and Governor General of the Philippines. " Also tried for the Republican Presidential nomination in 1920.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Wood

see also

See for another picture that looks to be of the same occasion.
The San Diego Air and Space Museum has lots of photos of Ruth: www.flickr.com/search/?w=49487266@N07&q=ruth%20law

Ruth Law flew a modified Curtiss Model E "pusher" biplane. The story is that she wanted to purchase one of the newer Model R tractor biplanes but Curtiss refused to sell her one because (pick one or more) a) they were backed up on orders with war production b) Curtiss considered the Model R too much plane for a "girl" c) Curtiss was backing his own pilot, Victor Carlstrom. Law's Model E was modified with a larger engine (100hp) and prop (12"!), supplementary fuel tanks, and a short aluminum windshield. Since Law had learned to fly on Wright "wing warping" airplanes the cockpit was retrofitted with lever controls. She broke Carlstrom's record set only 2 weeks earlier. They both left from Chicago hoping to make it all the way to NYC in one hop. Carlstrom made it to Erie, PA (452 miles) before setting down to refuel. Law made it to Hornell, NY (590 miles.) Her brother, Rodman Law was a movie stuntman and might have been even crazier than Ruth. He made parachute jumps from the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge and once tried to ride a giant rocket.

This is not an MF.11, but rather a Farman F.40 series aircraft, of which there were many subtypes. Note that the MF designator is not used at this time, but only the F of the last name was now used (late 1915 thru the end of the war). The MF.11 (80 h.p.) version and the MF.11bis (130 h.p. Renault) or "Happe" type as it was also known, due to Capt. Maurice Happe's recommended improvements being implemented into production. He was the energetic leader of the bombing squadron, Escadrille MF 29 and later the Groupe de Bombardement that MF 29 was a part of. The F.40 was designed and built to replace the earlier MF.11 and MF.11bis types in service. It was built as a bomber and also used for reconnaissance. There was also a version with floats for the Aviation Maritime.

This is not an MF. 11 or 11bis... but rather an F.40 series which was more powerful and stronger and replaced the MF.11 and 11 bis types in service.

This one is very difficult to classify. I have never seen a F.40 model with a typical MF.11 rear end before..... Stig

There were several subvariants. The MF-11 was an 80 hp Renault-powered machine w/ simple slab-sided nacelle. The MF-11bis had a 130 hp Renault engine and an additional "visor" looking addition to the front nacelle w/ two circular windows on each side of the nose. The next design type revised the nacelle w/ a smoother, rounder monocoque streamlined nacelle. This photo reflects that. The Farman brothers each had their own "line" of aircraft being produced, the HF or Henri Farman Series and the Maurice Farman MF series. Later, they got rid of HF or MF and just went to F for Farman. So the designation of F.40 and various subvariants like F.41, F.41bis, F.42. Look in James Davilla's book on French Aircraft of WWI by Flying Machines Press for a lot more detail into the variants and their miniscule specs and details.

So I did Aviatik The problem is that there is no photograph in Davilla/Soltan's book of any F.40 with the old tail shown here. They all have a single fin. If, as you say, this is a F.40 model/variety, I have never seen one as this before combining old and new features. So it is up to you if you are convinced since I stick to not being certain.... :-) Reason the Farman brothers had their own designation system was that they were two different companies. When they went together they decided to use just one letter. Stig